★★★★½
Anticipated by packed tables within the Space Theatre, another fabulous show, HOUSE OF ROT: Grey Gardens, joins Reuben Kaye’s ‘Delicious Revolution’ for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
A minimally lit stage, swathed in smoke, reveals a piano and five chairs. To each of the sides of the stage, wooden chairs are suspended at different levels, perhaps representing the space that is being held for this collapsing state.
Co-created by Dino Dimitriadis (director) and Victoria Falconer (musical director), Green Door Theatre Company’s production combines existing and original songs in a musical homage to the true story of Big and Little Edie’s crumbling home.
Exploring themes of legacy, survival, grief, and fury, this loosely inspired performance invites the audience inside the space of two recluses and how they live through internal and external collapse.
Costumed by Nicol & Ford in black layered dresses and heels, it appears as if the two characters are in mourning for the way things used to be.
They reference the immediacy of the internet and social media. They reminisce that ‘real boredom’ involves staring out a window for a length of time without reaching for your phone. There are references to moments of waiting for more, from either people or something else, that just never came about. Waiting for life to be different.
The performers embodying these characters are an incredible duo, bouncing off each other in such a way that demonstrates how comfortable they are with each other.
Paul Capsis as Big Edie is magnetic in stage presence and straddles that fine line of serious and cheeky with dry humour between songs. Capsis brilliantly channels the matter-of-fact and almost weary manner that mothers tend to use when sharing their personal experiences and stories.
The way in which Capsis sits and eats a handful of cold chicken is simultaneously funny yet sobering, considering what this is associated with.
In contrast, Adam Noviello’s youthful energy as Little Edie is sensual and strong. With a phenomenal vocal range and wanting nothing more than to be seen, Noviello’s character sings of external validation before realising that it was there all along from Big Edie.
From seamlessly stepping up to the piano to accompany themself singing, to belting Sia’s Alive, Noviello’s musical talent is stunning to witness.
Both Capis and Noviello’s harmonising in Lana Del Ray’s Young and Beautiful is even more tender when it is sung to each other. It also starkly contrasts the more argumentative patter and vibe between them at the beginning of the show.
Lighting by Brockman is effective in its minimalism as it allows the sound and the performers to literally take centre stage. The sound is well balanced, and the song choices are fantastic. Each is sung with a balanced combination of strength and vulnerability.
HOUSE OF ROT: Grey Gardens is an absolutely beautiful show with gorgeous performances by all; this includes music director Falconer’s solo moments. With so much to choose from this Cabaret Festival, I would highly recommend this show.
HOUSE OF ROT: Grey Gardens runs to 14 June at the Space Theatre as part of the 2026 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
It also runs in Melbourne from 18 – 20 June at the Malthouse Theatre and Sydney 23 – 28 June at Hayes Theatre Co as part of their Winter Cabaret Series.
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Photo credits: Claudio Raschella
